Hinge device for door leaves in glass or the like

ABSTRACT

A hinge device for the controlled rotary opening and closing movement of a closing element anchored to a stationary support structure includes a fixed element and a movable element rotatable between a first open position and a closed position. The movable element includes an end portion, a working chamber, a shaft inserted therein, and a stem slidingly inserted into the shaft. A pin connects the end portion, the shaft, and the stem. The working chamber includes a working fluid for the hydraulic damping of the mutual movement of the fixed and movable elements and an elastic damping element causing the stem to abut thereagainst only when the stem is in an end-stop position, so that a user moving the closing element feels the resistance of the elastic damping element only upon reaching the first open position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field ofhinges for closing and controlling door leaves for showcases or similarclosing elements, and in particular it regards a hinge device for themovement and for the controlled rotary opening and closing of a closingelement, such as for example a glass door leaf of a showcase or thelike, anchored to a stationary support structure, such as for example aframe.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known to use plexiglass showcases used to contain foodstuffs, suchas for example bread, which are easily accessible to users by rotatingthe door leaf around a horizontal or vertical hinging axis.

As known, hinges comprise a movable element, usually fixed to the doorleaf of the showcase, or the like, hinged to a fixed element, usuallyfixed to the support frame of the latter.

Often, such hinges are mainly of the mechanical type and they do notprovide any kind of opening and/or closing control.

It is also known that such door leaves are subject to possible forcedopening due to the use of incautious users.

As a matter of fact, such known devices do not provide an opening blockand the door leaves are therefore subject to possible unhinging and/ordamage.

Furthermore, in the light of the aforementioned inconveniences, it isnot known to use the glass to make the door leaves of the showcases inquestion, with ensuing limitation of the materials used for making thesame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome theaforementioned drawbacks, by providing a hinge device that is highlyfunctional, easy to manufacture and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that allowsa simple and practical adjustment of the opening and closing of theclosing element to which it is constrained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge capable ofguaranteeing the controlled movement of the door leaf to which it isconstrained, both during the opening and closing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device suitablefor the controlled opening and closing of glass door leaves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that has aminimum number of components.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device capable ofmaintaining the exact closing position over time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that isextremely safe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that isextremely easy to install.

These and other objects to be further clarified hereinafter, areachieved by a hinge device having one or more of the characteristicsdescribed and/or claimed and/or illustrated herein.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined according to thedependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be moreapparent in the light of the detailed description of some preferred butnon-exclusive embodiments of a hinge device according to the invention,illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to theattached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a hinge device 1;

FIG. 1B is an axonometric view of the shaft 30, regarding which FIG. 1Cis a lateral view;

FIG. 2A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A in which theclosing element A is in closed position, regarding which FIG. 2B is asectional view taken along a plane I-I;

FIG. 3A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A in which theclosing element A is open by an angle β equal to 180°, regarding whichFIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along a plane II-II;

FIG. 4A is a front view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A, regardingwhich FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along a plane III-III;

FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 and of a portion ofthe closing element A that can be directly coupled to the hinge device1;

FIG. 6A is a front view of the assembly consisting of the hinge device 1and the closing element A, regarding which FIGS. 6B and 6C are top andlateral views, respectively;

FIG. 7A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 in which theclosing element A is in closed position, regarding which FIGS. 7B and 7Care the corresponding axonometric and top views of the assemblyconsisting of a pair of hinge devices 1 and the closing element A;

FIG. 8A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 in which theclosing element A is in the first open position, regarding which FIGS.8B and 8C are the corresponding axonometric and top views of theassembly consisting of a pair of hinge devices 1 and the closing elementA;

FIG. 9A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 wherein the closingelement A is in the third open position (in which the angle β has avalue comprised between 85° and 110°, in particular 110° in this case),regarding which FIGS. 9B and 9C are the corresponding axonometric andtop views of the assembly consisting of a pair of hinge devices 1 andthe closing element A;

FIGS. 10A and 11A are axonometric views of the hinge device 1 whereinthe closing element A is in the second open position (in which the angleβ has a value comprised between 110° and 180°, in particular 165° and180° in this case), regarding which FIGS. 10B, 11B and 10C, 11C are thecorresponding axonometric and top views of the assembly consisting of apair of hinge devices 1 and the closing element A;

FIG. 12A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A wherein thevalve means 60 are in a further embodiment;

FIGS. 12B and 12C are respectively a sectional view along a plane IV-IVand a sectional view along a plane V-V of the embodiment of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a top view of the valve means 60 of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 12B, regarding which FIG. 13B is a sectional viewalong a plane VI-VI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the mentioned figures, herein described is a hingedevice 1 for the controlled rotary opening and closing movement of aclosing element A, such as a door leaf or the like preferably in glass,anchored to a stationary support structure S, such as a frame preferablyin glass.

The present invention can include various parts and/or similar oridentical elements. Unless otherwise specified, similar or identicalparts and/or elements will be indicated using a single reference number,it being clear that the described technical features are common to allsimilar or identical parts and/or elements.

Generally, the hinge device 1 can include a fixed element 10 that can beanchored to the frame S and a movable element 20 that can be anchored tothe door leaf A.

Suitably, the fixed 10 and movable 20 elements will be coupled to eachother so as to rotate around a longitudinal axis X between a closedposition, illustrated for example in FIG.7A, and at least one openposition, illustrated for example in FIG. 8A.

Suitably, the fixed 10 and movable 20 elements can include a respectivefirst and second fixing portion 15, 25 for anchoring to the frame S andto the door leaf A.

Preferably, the movable element 20 can include a working chamber 21defining the axis X and a stem 40 slidable therein between at least twoend-stop positions.

The working chamber 21 can also comprise elastic damping means 50 whichare susceptible to abut against the stem 40 so as to dampen the motionthereof by imparting an opposing force so as to oppose the movement ofthe door leaf A by the user, as will be described in more detail below.

According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the stem 40 canbe coupled to a plunger element 42 so that they slide integrally alongthe axis X.

The stem 40 can comprise a portion 43 comprising an end 43′ at which ahousing hole 43′″ into which a pin 41 can be inserted can be provided.

The portion 43 can further comprise an end 43″ coupled, preferably byscrewing, to the plunger element 42.

Suitably, the stem 40 can further comprise a portion 44 comprising anend 44′ coupled to the plunger element 42, preferably by screwing, andan opposite end 44″ suitable to abut against the elastic damping means50.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 2B, the working chamber 21 cancomprise a housing area 51 in which the elastic damping means 50 can beaccommodated.

These can comprise a pressing member 52 and a damping element 53, suchas for example a belleville washer, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, or apolyurethane elastomer body, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, suitable tooccupy the housing area 51 upon the compression thereof.

Such damping elements 53 can impart a high opposing force upon minimalcompressions.

Conveniently, the working chamber 21 can include a working fluid for thehydraulic damping of the movement of the movable element 20 around theaxis X.

Conveniently, the plunger element 42 can divide the working chamber 21into a first and a second variable-volume compartment 23′, 23″, whichcan be placed in fluid communication using valve means 60.

Such valve means 60 can comprise a calibrated opening 62 and an opening61 comprising a shutter 61′ susceptible to open when the door leaf A isopened and close when the door leaf is closed, so as to force theworking fluid to flow exclusively through the second calibrated opening62, as disclosed in the applications PCT/IB2015/050603, PCT/IB2017/05836or in the Italian application 102018000008233.

Preferably, the opening 61 and the shutter 61′ can be part of a checkvalve.

Even more preferably, the calibrated opening 62 can have a diameter ofsuitable size, possibly small, so as to dampen the closure of the doorleaf A, depending on the desired degree.

Conveniently, the hinge device 1 can comprise a shaft 30 inserted intothe working chamber 21 along the axis X.

The shaft 30 can comprise a connection portion 31 for connecting thefixed 10 and movable 20 elements.

The shaft 30 can also comprise a tubular working portion 32 opposite theconnection portion 31.

Suitably, the tubular working portion 32 can comprise a pair of slots 34facing each other.

Each slot 34 can comprise a portion 35 extending along an axis X′parallel to the axis X and a portion 37 extending along an axis Y.

Preferably, the axis Y can be incident to the axis X′ so that an angle agreater than 90° can be defined between the portion 35 and the portion37, as shown in particular in FIG. 1C.

It is clear that the angle a can be substantially equal to 90°, withoutdeparting from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Suitably, a portion 36 defining an axis Z substantially transversal withrespect to the axes X′ and Y, can be interposed between the portions 35and 37.

The portion 36 can comprise a guide surface 36′ inclined correspondingto the axis Z.

According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the workingchamber 21 can further comprise an end portion 22 comprising a pair ofactuator slots 24.

Preferably, the slots 24 can be arranged facing each other and rotatingaround the axis X.

More particularly, the slots 24 can have a rightward or leftwarddevelopment.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the slots 24 canhave a leftward development.

Conveniently, the stem 40 can be inserted into the tubular workingportion 32 so that the pin 41 can slide along the slots 24 and 34.

In particular, each pair of slots 24 and 34 can constitute a singleguide element for the pin 41.

More particularly, during the movement of the door leaf A and thus uponthe rotation of the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20 aroundthe axis X, the slots 24 can guide the movement of the pin 41 along theslots 34.

However, it is clear that a single pair of slots can be formed in thetubular working portion 32 or in the movable element 20 withoutdeparting from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Furthermore, it is clear that two or more slots can be formed in thetubular working portion 32 and/or in the end portion 22 withoutdeparting from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Operatively, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 8A, when the door leafA is moved to open by an angle β comprised for example between 0° and85°, the pin 41 can slide along the portion 35 and the stem 40 can bemoved from a first end-stop position in which the end 43′ is proximal tothe connection portion 31 of the shaft 30, to a second end-stop positionin which the end 43′ is distal therefrom.

More particularly, when the door leaf A is in a first opening position,corresponding for example to an angle β of 85°, the end 44″ of the stem40 will come into contact with the pressing member 52.

Starting from this angle, the door leaf A can close automatically in adamped manner solely due to the action of the previously describedhydraulic circuit.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the door leaf A is moved to open by an angle βcomprised between 85° and 110°, corresponding to a third open position,the pin 41 can slide along the portion 36 and the stem 40 can be movedfrom the second to a third end-stop position with ensuing compression ofthe damping element 53.

Starting with a value of β comprised between 85° and 110°, the door leafA can thus be closed automatically due to the work of the damping means50 which will push the pin 41 to abut against the guide surface 36′which will direct the pin 41 along the portion 35 to reach theaforementioned first open position.

Starting from such position, the door leaf A can reach the closedposition as described previously.

Furthermore, such closure can be suitably damped by the previouslydescribed hydraulic circuit.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-11A, when the door leaf A is moved to openby an angle β comprised between 110° and 180°, corresponding to a secondopen position, the pin 41 can slide along the portion 36 and the stem 40can be moved from the third to a fourth end-stop position with ensuingfurther compression of the damping element 53.

In particular, as a result of opening angles β greater than 110°, thedoor leaf A will lock in the position reached due to the counteringforce generated by the damping element 53 which will push the pin 41 toabut against the abutment surface 37′ of the portion 37, as particularlyillustrated in FIGS. 10A-11A.

The user will then have to manually return the door leaf A up to anangle β measuring 110°, starting from which the door leaf A can beclosed automatically as described previously.

It is clear that, during the opening of the door leaf A and as concernsopening angles β comprised between 85° and 180°, the user can perceive aresistance against the increasing movement, due to the incrementalcountering force generated by the progressive compression of the dampingelement 53.

This resistance will cause the user to avoid forcing the door leaf A toopen, preventing it from unhinging it.

It is clear that the described hinge device 1 can guarantee thecontrolled rotary opening and closing movement of closing elements A, inparticular glass door leaves.

In light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains thepre-set objectives.

The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants allfalling within the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims.All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements,and the materials can be different depending on the technical needs,without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attachedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hydraulic hinge device for a controlledrotary opening and closing movement of a closing element (A) anchored toa stationary support structure (S), comprising: a fixed element (10)configured to be anchored to the stationary support structure (S); amovable element (20) configured to be anchored to the closing element(A), said movable element (20) and said fixed element (10) beingmutually coupled to rotate around a first axis (X) between at least onefirst open position and one closed position, one of said movable element(20) or said fixed element (10) comprising at least one working chamber(21) defining said first axis (X); a shaft (30) coaxially inserted intosaid at least one working chamber (21), said shaft (30) comprising aconnection portion (31) for operatively connecting said fixed andmovable elements (10, 20) to each other, said shaft (30) furthercomprising a tubular working portion (32); and a stem (40)telescopically inserted into said tubular working portion (32) so as toslide along said first axis (X) between a first end-stop positionproximal to said connection portion (31) of said shaft (30),corresponding to one of said at least one open position or one closedposition, and at least one second end-stop position distal from saidconnection portion (31) of said shaft (30), corresponding to another oneof said at least one open position and one closed position, a pin (41)operatively connecting said tubular working portion (32) and said stem(40) being provided for so that a sliding of said stem (40) along thefirst axis (X) or an axis parallel thereto corresponds to a rotation ofsaid one of said movable element (20) or said fixed element (10) aroundsaid first axis (X); wherein said at least one working chamber (21)houses a working fluid for a hydraulic damping of a mutual movement ofsaid fixed and movable elements (10, 20) and at least one plungerelement (42) integrally coupled with said stem (40) to integrally movetherewith along said first axis (X), said at least one plunger element(42) dividing said at least one working chamber (21) into at least onefirst and one second variable-volume compartment (23′, 23″) fluidlycommunicating with each other, a valve (60) being provided to control aflow of the working fluid between said first and said secondvariable-volume compartments (23′, 23″); wherein said at least oneworking chamber (21) further comprises elastic damping means (50) in aspatial relationship with said stem (40) so that the stem or saidplunger element (42) abuts against the elastic damping means exclusivelywhen said stem (40) is in said second end-stop position, so that a userwho moves the closing element (A) feels a resistance of said elasticdamping means (50) exclusively upon reaching of the closed position orthe first open position; and wherein said stem (40) comprises an end(40″) inserted into said tubular working portion (32) of said shaft (30)which includes said pin (41), one of the stem or said movable or fixedelement comprising at least one pair of first actuator slots (24)rotating around said first axis (X), said pin (41) being inserted intosaid first actuator slots (24) to slide therethrough upon a mutualrotation of said fixed and movable elements (10, 20) around said firstaxis (X).
 2. (canceled)
 3. The hydraulic hinge device according to claim1, wherein said at least one working chamber (21) includes at least oneend portion (22) mutually facing another one of said movable element(20) or said fixed element (10), said shaft (30) being coaxiallyinserted into said at least one working chamber (21) at said end portion(22), one of said at least one end portion (22) of said working chamber(21) and said tubular working portion (32) of said shaft (30) comprisingsaid first actuator slots (24), another one of said at least one endportion (22) of said working chamber (21) and said tubular workingportion (32) of said shaft (30) comprising at least one pair of secondguide slots (34), said pin (41) sliding through said first actuatorslots (24) and said second guide slots (34).
 4. The hydraulic hingedevice according to claim 3, wherein said first actuator slots (24) haverightward or a leftward development, said second guide slots (34)comprising at least one first portion (35) defining a second axis (C′)parallel or inclined with respect to said first axis (X), said pin (41)sliding through said at least one first portion (35) of said secondguide slots (34) so as to allow a movement of said closing elementbetween said first open position and said closed position.
 5. Thehydraulic hinge device according to claim 4, wherein said second guideslots (34) further comprise a second portion (37) angularly spaced withrespect to said first portion (35) so as to define a third axis (Y),said pin (41) sliding through said at least one first portion (35) andin said second portion (37) of said second guide slots (34) so as toallow a movement of said closing element between a second open positionand said closed position passing through said first open position, saidthird axis (Y) being perpendicular or inclined with respect to saidfirst axis (X) so that when the closing element is in said second openposition, said pin (41) abuts against an abutment surface (37′) of saidsecond portion (37) under a thrust of said elastic damping means (50).6. The hydraulic hinge device according to claim 5, wherein said secondguide slots (34) further comprise a third portion (36) interposedbetween said first and said second portions (35, 37), said pin (41)sliding in said first, said second and said third portions (35, 36, 37)of said second guide slots (34) so as to allow the movement of saidclosing element between said second open position and said closedposition passing through said first open position and through at leastone third open position interposed between said first and said secondopen positions, said third portion (36) defining a fourth axis (Z)transverse with respect to said second and said third axes (C′, Y) sothat, when the closing element is in said third open position, said pin(41) abuts against a guide surface (36′) of said third portion (36)inclined corresponding to said fourth axis (Z) so as to be automaticallythrust toward said first portion (35) by said elastic damping means(50), so that the closing element snaps towards said first openposition.
 7. The hydraulic hinge device according to claim 1, whereinsaid stem (40) comprises a first portion (43) comprising a first end(43′) integrally coupled to said pin (41) and an opposite second end(43″) mutually coupled to said plunger element (42), said stem (40)further comprising a second portion (44) comprising a third end (44′)mutually coupled to said plunger element (42) and an opposite fourth end(44″) configured to abut against said elastic damping means (50), saidfirst portion (43), said plunger element (42) and said second portion(44) moving integrally along said first axis (X).
 8. The hydraulic hingedevice according to claim 7, wherein said working chamber (21) comprisesa housing area (51) for said elastic damping means (50), the elasticdamping means comprising at least one pressing member (52) and a dampingelement (53), said at least one pressing member (52) being configured tomutually abut against said fourth end (44″) of said second portion (44)of said stem (40) when the closing element (A) reaches the first openposition.
 9. The hydraulic hinge device according to claim 8, whereinsaid damping element (53) is a polyurethane elastomer body configured tocompletely occupy said housing area (51) after said polyurethaneelastomer body is compressed by said at least one pressing member (52).10. The hydraulic hinge device according to claim 1, wherein said valve(60) comprises at least one first and at least one second opening (61,62) so as to place said first and said second variable-volumecompartments (23′, 23″) in fluid communication, said at least one firstopening (61) comprising at least one shutter (6) configured to open uponan opening of the closing element (A) and further configured to closeupon a closing of the closing element (A) to force the working fluid toflow exclusively through said second opening (62).